Behind the Scenes: Filming the Sistine Chapel in 'Conclave' and
- Movies like "Conclave" and "The Two Popes" managed to shoot scenes in the Sistine Chapel despite cameras not being allowed
- Production designers Suzie Davies and Cynthia Sleiter received an Oscar nomination for their work on "Conclave" in 2024
- The Sistine Chapel scenes in "Conclave" were shot in Rome’s Cinecittà Studios
- The Sistine Chapel set for "Conclave" was built on an extended soundstage, with parts of the set being incomplete flats from a previous production
- "The Two Popes" also shot scenes in the Sistine Chapel, recreating the iconic fresco of Michelangelo with visual effects
- Production designer Mark Tildesley used printed film on wooden boards to replicate the fresco’s texture in "The Two Popes"
- Unlike "Conclave," "The Two Popes" did not receive a production design Oscar nomination
Movies have always been a significant part of the entertainment industry, captivating audiences with stunning visuals and compelling storytelling. In recent years, films such as “Conclave” and “The Two Popes” have managed to recreate the iconic Sistine Chapel on screen, despite the restrictions on photography within the actual location.
The Sistine Chapel, located within Vatican City, is renowned for its breathtaking frescoes painted by artists like Sandro Boticelli, Pietro Perugino, and Michelangelo. Visitors are not permitted to use cameras inside the chapel, making it a challenge for filmmakers to accurately depict the historical setting in their movies.
In 2024, “Conclave” garnered attention for its detailed production design, earning a Production Design Oscar nomination for Suzie Davies and Cynthia Sleiter. The film tells the story of the election of a new pope and required the recreation of the Sistine Chapel for key scenes.
Davies and her team embarked on a meticulous process to bring the Sistine Chapel to life on screen. They toured the Vatican to study the real location and obtained clearance to use the artwork within the chapel. Despite the challenges, they were able to build a set that captured the essence of the iconic site, even incorporating a blue screen for the upper portions of the chapel.
Principal photography for “Conclave” took place in Rome, with significant portions of the shoot conducted at Cinecittà Studios, Europe’s largest film studio. The expansive Sistine Chapel set was constructed on an extended soundstage, alongside other key locations like the Casa Santa Marta, where the cardinals reside during the conclave.
Davies revealed that she repurposed incomplete flat-packed scenery of the Sistine Chapel from a previous production, streamlining the set-building process. The team worked tirelessly to reconstruct the set, enlisting local artists to recreate the original designs and bring the iconic location to life on screen.
It is possible that the same Sistine Chapel set used in “Conclave” was also utilized in the 2019 film “The Two Popes,” which explores fictional conversations between Pope Benedict XVI and his successor, Pope Francis. “The Two Popes” also features scenes set in the Sistine Chapel and was filmed at Cinecittà Studios.
During the production of “The Two Popes,” the studio’s largest space was unavailable, prompting the creation of a replica of Michelangelo’s famous ceiling fresco using high-resolution images and visual effects. Production designer Mark Tildesley collaborated with Italian artists to paint one-third scale copies of the fresco, ensuring an authentic representation of the chapel’s artwork.
Tildesley’s innovative approach involved working with a Milan-based company to apply printed film on wooden boards with a plaster surface, replicating the texture of a fresco before digitally reproducing the images on the set. This method saved the production valuable time, allowing them to complete the intricate set design in a more efficient manner.
While “The Two Popes” did not receive a Production Design Oscar nomination like “Conclave,” the film was recognized for its stellar performances by actors like Anthony Hopkins and Jonathan Pryce. The movie’s success highlighted the importance of meticulous set design and attention to detail in bringing historical locations like the Sistine Chapel to life on screen.
Overall, the creative process behind films like “Conclave” and “The Two Popes” showcases the dedication and expertise required to recreate iconic landmarks for cinematic storytelling. Despite the challenges of filming in restricted locations, filmmakers continue to push boundaries and deliver visually stunning portrayals of historical settings for audiences worldwide.
/Digital Sauce
